The night had been long, and Rachel was nodding off in the chair she’d pulled to Dutch’s bedside when JT came and startled her. “You should go home. Get some rest. We have rounds to make tomorrow on the outskirts.”

Rachel’s eyes immediately went to Dutch.

“He’ll be looked after. Nora will be here, and from what I can tell he mostly just needs rest. His memory seems fine, and all his limbs are working. I think he’ll be up in a day or two.”

Rachel sighed and looked at the floor, silently saying prayers of thanks. She looked back up quickly and over to where Wade lay on a cot a few feet away. Having him there made her nervous. She had heard stories. The ladies talked when they got together, and they sometimes would gather at the clinic when they’d come to visit Nora and the children. Beatrice was one of her favorite of the women. She always had delicious baked goods, and her baby was sweet, even as she was toddling around and getting into things.

“He’ll be up and around before too long as well.”

Rachel felt unsure if she should voice her concerns, but her fear overcame her sense. “Is it safe to have him here?”

Doc nodded. “Both KC and the Marshal know he’s here. It would be the height of stupidity for him to harm anyone while the law knows right where he’s at.” He put a reassuring hand on Rachel’s shoulder. “He’s a criminal.” He tossed an errant look toward Dutch as well, causing Rachel’s back to tighten. “But as most criminals do, they live in the shadow and move in darkness. He’s harmless here.” He locked eyes with Rachel, the look on his face making her skin prickle. “It’s the evil that lives in the light that we need to be worried about.”

Rachel knew what the doctor was implying, but she couldn’t find a single place within her that thought his suggestion could have any merit. Dutch was as good man. She could feel it. She nodded to the doctor, letting him know she understood.

The sun had just started to rise as she mounted her horse and started to ride out toward Creede. The small cabin she shared with her father was on the other side of the town, just as you’d head toward Topaz. She found it interesting the way people came and went through the small towns. Creede was a hub of activity, where you could gather supplies or any other thing, but then one could stretch their legs and head to Bachelor or Topaz and be back out where there was nothing but cattle and chickens. She liked being able to live in both worlds. Traveling with the doctor had shown her more of the area as well. She was looking forward to rounds later in the afternoon.

Kara shook her head. Nessa ignored her and kept walking. “You shouldn’t have left. What will people think? What will Freddie think?”

Nessa stopped and spun on her sister. “Freddie prefers to be called Dutch. You know that, but you insist on calling him by his given name for some unknown reason, and he understands why I’m not there. As for everyone else, it doesn’t matter.”

“But of course it does. The two of you are practically married.”

Nessa was having a hard time controlling the anger welling inside her. Her sister wasn’t listening, as usual, which tended to end up in Nessa shouting. “We aren’t even close to married. We’re not engaged, nor are we even courting. He’s an old friend. One that, had our lives taken a different path, might have one day been my husband, but that isn’t the life I have anymore.” She glared at her sister. “You of all people should know that!”

The moment the words left her tongue she regretted them, but she stayed silent as she watched the hurt cloud over her sister’s eyes. Kara nodded. “I do know. Which is why I want to make sure you have someone that can look after you. Dutch is strong enough for that.”

Nessa shook her head at the emphasis her sister had put on his name. As if she was doing him and Nessa both a favor by not calling him by his Christian name. “You sound just like father. Neither of you ever have seen me for who I am. I realize he won’t get the chance, but I thought you would have seen it by now.” Nessa turned and started to walk away, knowing her sister would follow her. “Even here in a wild and raw place like this, you haven’t noticed that I can take care of myself. I’m doing just fine. I don’t need Dutch or anyone else to look after me.” Having to say the words cut Nessa. Kara not seeing the changes she’d made was painful, but more so was the fact that Kara had no ability to see that she’d raised Nessa to be the woman she was. Their father had babied her. She knew that now. Lillian had been harsh with her to make up for the lack of discipline from their father, but Kara, she’d taught Nessa how to be a woman. She’d shown her with her actions that strength wasn’t physical. It was mental and emotional. Nessa knew that she hadn’t always shown Kara how well she understood certain lessons that Kara had unknowingly taught her, but she was trying now. She’d been trying from the moment they’d untied her and helped her from the cabin.

Nessa had reached the barn doors and turned back before she opened them. “I’m not going to marry Dutch. I’m sorry, Kara.” Her sister stayed silent as she opened the doors and went in to saddle her horse.

Dutch opened his eyes and immediately started searching for her. He still didn’t know her name. She’d stayed with him through the night. He’d felt her when he’d woken briefly before drifting off again, but now she was gone. Nora, the doctor’s wife, was there instead. “Good morning.”

Dutch tried to nod. She was awfully cheery for it being so early. Tiny little fingers reached up and started to poke at his arm. He shifted and leaned over to find he was looking into deep brown eyes. “Now, Joy, let’s leave Mr.… Mr.?” Nora looked down at him.

“Holan. Freddie Holan.”

She smiled. “Let’s leave Mr. Holan to rest so he can feel better and get back to his family.” Nora took the little girl by the hand. “Mr. Holan, if you need anything please let me know.”

Once again Dutch started to nod but then opened his mouth before his brain could catch up with it. “The girl that was here before…where is she?”

Nora smiled. It lit up her whole face. It was a knowing smile. If Dutch had been a different sort of man, he probably would have blushed, maybe had a butterfly or two flapping in his stomach, but he wasn’t that type of man. At least that’s what he told himself as his cheeks got hot and his gut started to flip.

“Rachel?”

Her name was Rachel. He liked it. It was pretty. Wholesome. It was pretty and wholesome, just like she was. A pain shot through his belly, causing him to crunch together in pain. Nora dropped her daughter’s hand and rushed to his side. “What is it?”

He shook his head. He wasn’t sure how to convey that he was fine even though he was in physical discomfort. He knew it had nothing to do with his body or his recovery. It had everything to do with knowing that now that he knew her name, he’d never forget it, even though him forgetting her as well as her name was the best thing for her.

Rachel slept for a few hours and had lunch laid out for her pa as she was packing to meet JT for rounds. “I was hoping I’d get to see you today. I worry when you don’t come home at night.”

Rachel ushered her father to the place she’d set for him at the table. “I apologize. There was an explosion yesterday. I had to stay on to help out.”

Her father nodded as she kissed the top of his head and he tucked into his food. Mouth full, he said, “Marshal stopped by on ‘is way. I knew where you were at.”

Rachel was grateful for both the Marshal and his wife. Hannah had been a great help to her, and she was looking forward to learning from he. And since they lived in Topaz, her husband had taken to checking in on her pa when he knew Rachel couldn’t. Working for the doctor had been great for her as well and helped them to buy food, but it had taken a lot of her time away from him.

“How’s your ankle today? Mr. Sterling and Mr. Casey don’t have you doing too much, do they?”

The builders had been wonderful to her father after he’d fallen on the job and been hurt. They’d helped both of them however they could, and now that her pa was up and moving, they’d given him work. He still couldn’t do the job he’d been doing before his injury, but they’d made it so he felt useful and made a wage.

He shook his head before taking a bite of the thick, buttered bread she’d served him with his stew. “Off ‘gain, are ya?”

“I have to go on rounds with the doctor. He’s taking me out to the Circle C this afternoon. I’m looking forward to meeting Mrs. Clark and the twins.” She hugged her father over the back of his chair. “Be careful over there at the new pub. No one knows yet what happened at the mine yesterday.”

Her father nodded but said nothing as he took another huge bite of the bread. She shook her head as she watched him. He wasn’t refined in any way. She often wondered why he hadn’t met another and married after her mother had disappeared. She worried about him. She’d always dreamed of someday having a family, but watching him now she wondered if that was possible. She couldn’t leave him alone. She’d been caring for him for so long she wasn’t sure he could care for himself. Trying to shake off the feelings of guilt as images of Dutch danced trough her mind when she thought about marriage and having a family, she left the small house and rode toward Creede, where she’d promised to meet the doctor at the Marshal’s office.

“Mrs. Clark’s pregnancy went surprisingly well, but I still like to keep an eye on her and the babies to make sure they’re thriving. Hannah delivered both the babies and checks in on them often as well.”

Rachel loved to watch Hannah work. She hoped that someday she too could deliver babies and help mothers. Rachel knew that her fascination with family came from her having grown up without a mother. She’d only been four when her mother had left. Rachel didn’t remember much. Just that her mother had been sweet and soft-spoken the last time she’d seen her. She’d tucked her into bed, telling her she loved her after they’d said prayers together. That had been their nightly ritual. She’d dress in her nightgown, and her mother would climb into bed with her and they’d make up stories together before they’d pray and Rachel would drift off to sleep. She’d woken the next morning to a cold oven and her father sitting at the table, his red face in his hands and dirt still covering his clothes. She still remembered his exact words as he’d lifted his face from the pit he’d created to bury it in. “Your mother left us.”

Rachel remembered wanting to scream at her father. To tell him it couldn’t be true. Rachel knew her mother and she would never leave her. Just the night before, she’d told her how much she loved her. But she’d said nothing. Ever. They never talked about it again. Both of them went about their lives and hadn’t spoken of her. Rachel spent her days with a nanny, waiting for her mother to return until she was old enough to start handling the cooking and cleaning. Rachel never stopped hoping though. Even when she took over the household duties and the nanny was no longer needed. She still didn’t believe her mother had left her willingly and secretly hoped her father didn’t either.

He’d been broken after she disappeared. He’d been a loud and boisterous man before, and after he was sullen and quiet. Caring for Rachel and loving her but staying distant as well. Almost like he thought if she got too close he’d lose her too. She often wished she could reassure him that she wasn’t going anywhere.

She was looking forward to spending time with the Clarks. They were a big family, and Rachel was envious. She wanted that. She loved her father dearly, but she wanted more. She wanted a husband and kids. Lots of them, and she knew she’d make sure that they knew, just like she’d known, that their mother loved them very much.

The Circle C was beautiful. Huge fields of high grass stretched out in between the mountains. She could see how folks got attached to the land there in Colorado. She’d grown up in Chicago and was used to city life. It had taken her a while to adjust to new ways of doing things when they’d first come to Creede. She enjoyed it now and loved moments like the one she was having just then, where she could not only see the land but feel it. Mr. Clark rode out to greet them, introducing himself and the young boys he had with him. “Marta is in the house with the little ones. She’ll be happy to have some company.”

Doctor JT laughed. “I’m sure she’s had lots of visitors out to see those two miracle babies.”

Rachel smiled to herself. Twins were a wonderful thing. She wondered what it would be like to have another person so close to herself around. She wondered if it was much different than having other siblings. She had no way of knowing, herself. Her father never marrying again left her an only child, but even with lack of practical knowledge, she could guess that having even one sibling or a twin would be far less lonely than being an only child.

Rachel rode behind the doctor. As they approached the house, a young girl, not more than ten years old or so, came barreling off the porch, a small boy on her heels. She ran through the yard, around the well, and over to where Rachel and JT were hitching their horses. The girl bobbed and ducked behind the horses, JT, and Rachel’s legs. “Give it back!”

The girl shook her head at her younger brother. “Ma said I could have it.”

The boy jumped toward her. “Did not. She said to share it.”

The girl leaned back to escape his grasp and ended up tipping over into a puddle caused by run-off from the well. She slid and came to a stop, covered in mud, as her fall sent splatters of it flying through the air. Rachel gasped as she saw the dirt coming at her but didn’t have enough time to move as it came down right on the front of her newly washed dress.

“You two get back here this instant!” Marta Clark came running out of the house, a baby in each arm, and stopped short, her mouth dropping as she took in the sight before her: Doctor JT standing next to Rachel, who was covered down her front in mud, her daughter lying in the puddle at Rachel’s feet, and her son racing up to his sister and snatching the last of the cookies from her hand as she swatted and kicked at him. The boy took off running toward the house as the situation settled over Rachel. She wasn’t sure what it was, but something bubbled up within her. She was hesitant to let it surface; she wasn’t sure if it would come out as laughter or tears.

She’d dressed in her best today because she knew after rounds she’d be seeing Dutch, and she wanted to look her best. She felt the bubbles rising as she thought about walking into the clinic looking as she did, like a pig from a pen, covered in mud from head to foot. She opened her mouth and lifted her face to the bright sunshine as laughter came tumbling from her lips. She looked down at the girl at her feet, and the two started to laugh together. Soon they were looking at Doctor JT, who had joined in, and finally Marta as she held both her babies to her chest. “Come along now, Rachel. Let’s let the doctor and his friend get cleaned up.”

Rachel looked down at the girl and noticed she too had on a purple dress. She held out a hand. The girl took it. “I’m Rachel too.”

The young girl smiled broadly at her, mud smeared across her cheeks and dripping from her dress. “Your dress is really pretty. I’m sorry I got mud all over it.”

Rachel leaned down and brought the girl in for a hug. “That’s quite alright. We Rachels need to stick together.” She winked and smiled as she backed away. “Especially to save cookies from boys.”

Inside, the children were much calmer than when they’d been outside. Rachel was impressed with how well behaved they were. Though she noticed that the older children seemed to be out of the house.

“I’m terribly sorry.” Marta fussed over Rachel as she came in the house. “Can I get you anything else to help with your dress?”

Rachel shook her head. “No, thank you. The soap and rag were enough for now. I’ll properly wash it when I get home this evening.” Marta had sent the boy who’d been chasing his sister out after Rachel, giving her some soap and a rag to try to get the majority of the mud off her dress. She was at least able to wash her face. “No harm done. Kids will be kids.”

Marta stopped fussing and looked around the house. “Yes, they will.”

Rachel chuckled, and Marta and JT joined her until one of the new babies started to holler. Marta sighed. “I’m so sorry. I thought I’d been able to get them both to sleep and we could visit.”

Rachel stood. “May I?” she asked, tilting her head to where two baskets were sitting.

Marta smiled and nodded. “Of course.”

Rachel was thrilled. She approached the basket quietly and leaned over it, taking in everything about the tiny human in the basket. There was something about babies, the way they smelled, or maybe the way their little fists wrapped tightly around your fingers, that made Rachel ache. She picked up the little one, cooing and rocking it. She looked up at its mother. “What’s its name?”

Marta laughed a little. “I can’t wait until they have hair and I can put a bow in Rebecca’s. That one,” she pointed to the baby Rachel held, “is Russell, and the other one is Rebecca.” She went to the side of the basket and looked down on her sleeping child. “Rebecca’s a little calmer than Russell, which, judging by the rest of this lot,” she looked around at the rest of the children, “is the way of things.”

Rachel and JT exchanged glances and smiles as Marta lifted the now fussing baby girl from her basket.